UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

MEC2404 Mechanics of fluids

Faculty of Engineering

MEC2404 Mechanics of fluids is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2021 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Malaysia and Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 6 units, leading on to 12 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2021
Semester 1, Semester 2
Malaysia, Clayton
Assessment
No exam
5 tasks
Workload
144 hours
per semester

This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.

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Requisites

Overview

This unit develops your physical understanding of fluid statics and fluid flow and the interaction of fluid forces with solids.

Topics include hydrostatics, Reynolds transport theorem, continuity and momentum equations, control volume analysis, the Bernoulli equation, viscous pipe flow, pumps, dimensional analysis, boundary layers, flow measurement techniques and applications of fluid forces in flow - lift and drag.

Offerings in 2021

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus
Second semesterClaytonOn campus
Second semesterMalaysiaOn campus

Assessment

  • TestsThreshold hurdle
    15.5%
  • LaboratoriesThreshold hurdle
    18%
  • Practical classesThreshold hurdle
    11%
  • Pre-workshop quizzes about recorded lectures and readingsThreshold hurdle
    5.5%
  • Final assessmentThreshold hurdle
    50%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Analyse fluid forces acting on bodies exposed to a volume of static fluid, with extension to fluid undergoing rigid body motion.

  2. 2

    Determine solutions to flow problems, with simplifications as appropriate, using a control volume approach to transport of mass and momentum.

  3. 3

    Apply dimensional analysis and modelling to plan experiments, present results meaningfully and predict prototype performance.

  4. 4

    Determine lift and drag forces on bodies (including motor vehicles) subjected to fluid motion, describing the effects of boundary layer modification and flow separation.

  5. 5

    Determine flow rates and pressure drops in pipe networks under steady state conditions for either laminar or turbulent flows.

  6. 6

    Select suitable pumps for a range of pipe networks and/or flow conditions and describe typical properties of turbo-machines.

Workload and teaching

  • Practical activities12 hours
  • Assessments4 hours
  • Workshops24 hours
  • Laboratories6 hours
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning
  • Teaching approachOnline learning

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-8 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Workshopping of weekly problems, instructor-led with students working through their own solutions. Three separate hands-on laboratory sessions of two hours each with pre-lab questions and a post-lab report. Individual or small group interaction working on assigned questions relevant to the course content of the current week

Course content is delivered using online videos in a flipped learning approach

Learning resources

Required resources

A faculty-approved calculator

Where it fits

MEC2404 is part of 1 area of study in the 2021 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Associate Professor Kenny Tan
Dr Josie Carberry
Chief Examiners
Dr Josie Carberry

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MEC2404?

MEC2404 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

What can I take after MEC2404?

MEC2404 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 6 units, including MEC3451, MEC4416, MEC4447, MEC4459, RSE3030 and RSE3241. Those lead on to 12 units in all.

When is MEC2404 offered?

In 2021, MEC2404 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Malaysia and Clayton.

How much work is MEC2404?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does MEC2404 have an exam?

No. MEC2404 has 5 assessment tasks and no exam.

Which majors and minors include MEC2404?

MEC2404 is part of Mechanical engineering.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Organisational unit
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available
Handbook years
2020202120222023202420252026